Explore the World of Soft…ids, Adults, Educational/RocelcoInc-ExploreTheWorldOfSoftware-KidsAdultsEducational-Vol2-Shareware.iso/educate/disk074/tcm.doc

Text File | 1989-12-09 | 18KB | 599 lines

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Welcome to Teacher Commando Markbook, referred to as TCM in
this manual.  You will find that TCM is a valuable tool that
allows the classroom teacher more effective time for the real
work: teaching.  Not only that, TCM provides the teacher with
the information about his/her students that will make a more
professional job possible!

TCM provides an easy to learn method for the bookkeeping
tasks that the classroom teacher does during the course of a
year.  A bonus is that diagnostic information is readily
available.

TCM is a flexible, intuitive student information bookkeeping
tool that allows the teacher to know exactly how well his
students are doing individually or as a class.

REPORT CARDS are a breeze with TCM.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS become easily and well prepared,
professional-looking encounters with parents, because of the
many grades/averages/analysis/profile reports available to
the teacher on screen or paper with TCM.

Among the facilities that TCM provides you'll find
- easy search of information through menu selection
- easy maintenance of course, student and grade information
- quick and easy maneuverability between directories and
  media
- simple attractive screens that allow the user to
  concentrate on the job rather than on the software
- meaningful analysis reports that help teachers track
  student progress
- on-line contextual help is available throughout the program
  to assist the user during operation of TCM
- automatic on-line help assists the user if function keys
  are used inappropriately
- course definitions and term dates are adjustable throughout
  the year without contamination of other data: no date is
  cast in stone.  You're never stuck with "beginning of the
  year" decisions
- all calculation functions are designed to operate
  intuitively and with minimum keystrokes
- all information entered can be easily and quickly modified
- report card ready averages are available anytime
- data frequency, data analysis reports, as well as reports
  of scores and averages can be generated anytime for the
  teacher's personal use or for parent-teacher interviews
- search and list students who have missed evaluations
- search and list failing or honor students

AND MORE !

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TEACHER COMMANDO MARKBOOK



GETTING ORGANIZED:

If you plan to use TCM on hard-disk

1.   create directory COMMANDO by typing

               MD COMMANDO {ENTER}

2.   place distribution diskette onto drive A


3.   copy TCM files into this new directory by typing

               COPY A:*.* C:\COMMANDO\*.* {ENTER}


If you plan to use TCM on floppy disk

1.   prepare a backup copy of TCM by typing

               DISKCOPY A: A: {ENTER}

     ** refer to your DOS manual for further instruction

2.   place the distribution copy of TCM in a safe place and
     use the backup copy for day to day use.


SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DISK CAPACITY WHEN USING TCM:

TCM will allow entry of up to 800 separate student names in
up to 80 courses.  For each of these students in each of the
courses, up to 70 evaluations in a year are possible.

Although TCM allows these limits, your disk capacity may not!
If you are using a hard disk or a 720K diskette this will not
pose a problem.  If, however, you are using 360K floppy
diskettes then please note that you may have to prepare a
separate diskette to use to store your data onto.  There are
a few possibilities for data storage:

- A 360k 5 1/4" diskette that contains the TCM program and
  HELP file will allow storage of information for
  approximately 9 classes of 24 students each.  If several
  of the same students appear in several classes then 10 or
  11 classes of 24 students each are possible.  If this is
  sufficient then all you'll need is one diskette for program
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  and data.  If a separate diskette needs to be used then
  format a data disk using DOS FORMAT (see DOS manual) in
  preparation for data storage.

- a 360K 5 1/4" diskette that is empty should store
  information for up to 34 classes of 24 students each.

- A 720K 3 1/2" diskette will store all the information
  allowed by TCM even if TCM and its HELP file are on it.

To use data contained on a drive or directory other than the
one where TCM is found, load TCM and then use the F6 key at
main menu to tell TCM where the data is to be found.



THE MAIN MENU:

Four sections of the main menu are to be noted:

1.   top menu bar containing the following choices:

               - COURSE LIST
               - STUDENT LIST
               - GRADE RECORD
               - DEFINE

     Each of the above choices leads to a secondary menu.

2.   bottom menu bar containing the following choices:

               - F1 help
               - F2 save
               - F3 void
               - F4 previous
               - F5 next
               - F6 data path

     Note that the F1 key will always call contextual on-line
     help.  It is like having a mini-manual at your
     fingertips.
     Please note that once secondary menus show up then
     "F6 data path" is replaced by "ESC exit"

** ESC *** will always return you to the previous screen.  It
     will NOT bring you out of the program.  To shut down TCM
     you must select DEFINE at main menu and then Quit TCM at
     secondary menu.

3.   A long narrow box on the left side of the screen is used

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     by TCM to display the menu choices you have made to
     bring you to where you are.

4.   A large rectangular box that takes up the largest part
     of the screen is where TCM does its business.


USING TCM:

Load TCM by typing TCM {ENTER}

When TCM is first loaded it assumes that data files are on
the same disk and directory that the program is on.  If data
files are to be found elsewhere then at this point tell TCM
where to find them.  To do this

     press F6. (you must be at main menu to do this and
                it can be done anytime you're at main
                menu)

     the drive/directory currently logged will appear in a
               prompt box.  Enter the new drive or directory
               then press {ENTER}. Data will then load from
               the drive/directory you've indicated.

     Return to CURRENT drive/directory is achieved by
               pressing F6, pressing space bar OR typing
               CURRENT, and then pressing {ENTER}

TCM is now ready to use.

SOME THINGS TO NOTE:

     ESC always backs you up one screen.

     Up and Down arrows allow you to manipulate between entry
     fields in a screen.

     Left and right arrows allow motion within an entry
     field.

     {ENTER} is always required to accept an entry.

     Information is only saved once an entry has been
     accepted (with {ENTER}) and then F2 is pressed.

     PGUP and PGDN can be used instead of F4 and F5
     respectively.

     Display and Print generally do the same thing.  Display
     prints to screen, Print prints to paper.
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     Backup all *.dat data files regularly for protection.



DEFINE ACADEMIC YEAR

     Select DEFINE

     Select Header
               Enter your information and press {ENTER} for
               each field.  Then press F2 to save the header.

     Select Initialize
               The first three fields are all that will
               appear until the number of reporting periods
               in the year are filled in.  Then reporting
               period date fields will appear on screen.

               Enter dates with format YYMMDD.  September 5,
               1989 would be entered 890905.  THIS FORMAT
               MUST BE FOLLOWED.  IT IS IMPORTANT!

               Press {ENTER} to accept each field.

               Press F2 to save

               Information fields for indicating letter
               grades will then appear.  Prompts look like
               this:

               Letter grade:     range from    % to     %
               You enter in this fashion:

               Letter grade: A   range from 80 % to 100 %

               Press {ENTER} to accept the information in
               each field

               Press F2 to save

     At this point the following message will appear:

               All markbook files
               will be destroyed. Proceed?   N

     If this is the beginning of an academic year then press
     Y at this prompt and at the next prompt.

     All old information will be destroyed and TCM will be
     ready to track a new year.  (Old information must be
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     destroyed before the new can be entered.  It is a good
     idea to backup all *.dat data files for reference prior
     to initializing markbook.)

     If you answer N or if you simply press {ENTER} (default
     answer is No) then the markbook files will be left
     intact and unchanged.

  ** The initializing process can be done any time during an
  ** academic year.  This might be because term dates were
  ** not solidly in place at the beginning of the year or
  ** whatever.  Obviously if you are initializing in the
  ** middle of an academic year you would answer N at the
  ** above prompt to avoid destroying your markbook
  ** information!


Select Quit TCM  to leave Teacher Commando Markbook.



ENTERING COURSE LIST

     *** This portion of the manual will be sent to you upon
         registration of your copy of TCM
*n*
                         7

*** How to handle Final, Mid-term or term exams is dealt with
    in the up-dated version of the manual.  This will be
    mailed to you when we receive your registration for your
    copy of TCM.



















               Press {ENTER} as you fill each prompt box.

               To save information press F2, the new
               information will be saved and the screen will
               be ready to receive information for the next
               course entry.

               When you have entered all the courses you are
               teaching then press ESC to return you to
               COURSE LIST's secondary menu.

     Select Modify

               enter the course number (the number to the
                         left of the course name)

               use up/down arrow to place the cursor over the
               prompt box you want changed

               change the information and press {ENTER}

               press F2 to save changes or ESC to escape
               without saving changes

     Select Display

               Choose a course by number to see courses and
               their information.  F4 and F5 (PGUP)/(PGDN)

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               will allow you to scroll up or down through
               the file.

Select Print
               Prepare your printer and a list of courses and
               their attendant information will be produced
               for your files.


ENTERING STUDENT LIST

     Select STUDENT LIST


*** available in up-dated vervion of manual.  Please register
    your copy of TCM so we can send it to you.

















                                   Using F4/F5 or PGUP/PGDN
               will allow you to scroll up or down through
               this list any time.

               Fill in the prompt boxes and accept the
               information you've typed by pressing {ENTER}.
               When all the information about a student is
               entered then press F2 to save that
               information.  Notice that the new student's
               name will appear as the first in the list on
               the right.  (as long as there are more than 10
               students)

          When a class list is complete then press ESC to
               return to STUDENT LIST's secondary menu.


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     Select Modify

     As for Enter, select the course number
               use F4/F5 or PGUP/PGDN to scroll

     Select the student file to modify

*** an up-dated version of the manual containing all
    documentation will be forwarded when you register your
    copy of TCM with Commando Softwares Ltd.

















     Select Display

     Select course by number

               Scroll through student list with F4/F5 or
               PGUP/PGDN

               press ESC to return to STUDENT LIST's
               secondary menu

     Select Print

     Select class list OR marksheet

               class list will produce a list of all students
               in a class complete with all information
               entered.  This produces a sort of roster of
               students in the course.

               marksheet produces a sheet with students
               listed on the left and empty squares to the
               right of each name designed for entry of
               marks.  TCM does not make use of such a system
               but teachers find them handy!

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ENTERING STUDENT GRADES

     Select GRADE RECORD

     Select Enter

     Select the course to be dealt with by entering the
          number of the course.

               enter the date of the evaluation.  Note that
               the format YYMMDD must be used.  October 19,
               1989 would be entered 891019 for example.
               This is IMPORTANT!

               enter total possible score for this evaluation

               enter evaluation tool number.  Notice the box
               that appears on the right contains the
               evaluation tools entered under COURSE LIST.
               The number of the tool must be entered here.



*** a complete manual will be mailed to you when you register
    your copy of TCM



               enter evaluation tool topic.  This will
               usually be the name of the topic being tested.

     press F2 to save the information

     a red line will appear and below that the name of the
               first student along with a prompt box.

               enter the RAW score.  TCM will do the average
               calculations and display them as you go along.

               TCM will not allow you to enter scores greater
               than the total possible score for that
               evaluation, nor will it allow you to leave it
               blank.  If a student has missed an evaluation,
               enter his/her grade as "0".  You'll be able to
               modify it later when his/her grade is
               available by selecting "Modify" at GRADE
               RECORD's secondary menu.

               --press {ENTER} or F2 to accept the raw score
                 entered for each student.

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               TCM will automatically exit this mode when all
               grades for all students in the selected course
               have been entered.

               Note that TCM only allows you to move forward
               (from A to Z) within the class list when
               entering raw grades.  The reason is simply
               that TCM is creating new files as you go
               through the list and cannot 'un-create' if it
               was to go backwards.  If you've made a wrong
               entry simply finish entering grades for the
               class, escape to GRADE RECORD's secondary
               menu, select "Modify", course number, student
               number and then change the entry. (see Select
               Modify coming up next)

     Select Modify

     Select course by number

     Select student by number.  If {ENTER} if pressed when
               the prompt contains "All" then TCM will
               present students consecutively for
               modification of selected evaluation.  This
               allows treatment of an evaluation in the same
               way as it was handled during "Enter"

     Select evaluation by number

               if (or when if changes are made) the
               evaluation tool record is correct press F2

               make appropriate changes to raw score and then
               press {ENTER} or F2 to accept and record
               changes.

               if ESC is pressed during this process, you
               will be returned to the student list.


     Select Display

               a third menu appears here.  It is the same
               menu for both Display and Print.







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COMMENTS ABOUT GRADE RECORD DISPLAY AND PRINT'S THIRD MENU:




*** Full documentation of TCM will be mailed to you when you
    register your copy of TCM with Commando Softwares Ltd.






*** NOTE:

Wherever you are in TCM, whatever you're doing with it, that
F1 always summons contextual help.

Do not be afraid to push the wrong button.  In the case of a
function key, if it is pushed inappropriately, TCM will
present a HELP screen automatically to help you and no harm
will be done.  In the case of other keys, TCM will simply not
accept them.  If an improper entry is made to data then
correcting the error is easily done by chosing "Modify" at
the second menu.